'Survivor' Producer Creating New Bible Docu-Drama Series

The producer of hit CBS show “Survivor” has signed up for a new 10-hour series simply titled “The Bible.”

Producer Mark Burnett has been hired by the History Channel for the scripted docudrama, which has been rumored to use live action as well as CGI. The series will cover biblical favorites such as Genesis, Noah’s Ark, Exodus, Daniel in the lion’s den, and of course the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Burnett explained, “The Bible is a sacred text that continues to challenge and inspire. We’ve been working on this project for the past two years and are deeply humbled to be given this once in a generation opportunity to breathe new visual life into the Bible’s profound stories.”

“The Bible gives meaning and purpose to billions of people around the world, and sparks the curiosity of millions more,” he added.

History Channel president and general manager Nancy Dubuc also commented: “There’s no question The Bible is one of the world’s most significant books. This series will bring the historical stories of the Bible to life for a new generation.”

On signing Burnett for the show, Dubuc called him “a rare breed” in the business.

“He is an amazing storyteller, and on this project, has the ability to deliver what we hope will be the largest audience History has ever seen.”

No stranger to religion himself, both Burnett and his wife grew up with the Scriptures, explained The Associated Press. But they’re not on a mission, he reported.

“People apply personal meanings to the Bible. Our job is to tell the stories in an emotionally connected way,” Burnett told AP.

“We’re just telling the stories that are in it,” Dubuc also commented to The New York Times. “We’re not stepping back to examine anything that could be called a controversy.”

The approach for the new series will be more straightforward rather than investigative, unlike past religious projects aired on History, including last year’s documentary entitled The Real Face of Jesus?

Drawing from the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version, a committee of theologians and scholars will be consulted for the series, The Hollywood Reporter noted.

Burnett, inspired by re-watching Cecil B. DeMille’s version of The Ten Commandments, believes the series will have a lasting impact and the largest audience History has ever had, he told the Times.

“I could be 80 or 90 and it could still be on television,” the renowned producer shared, as noted in AP.

With over 25 million copies sold just last year alone, the Bible continues to be the No. 1 best-selling book in America.

The Bible series will be produced by Lightworkers Media and Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. The executive producers are Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Richard Bedser, and the executive producers for History are Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs.